Hay Feeder Net Basket for Controlling Animal Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hay feeders do not effectively prevent waste and gluttony, as they allow animals to gorge and trample on hay, leading to inefficiencies in feeding.

Innovation Solution

A hay feeder comprising a support member with a net having openings, forming a basket with a closed bottom and open top, which is fastened to a structure using a pivoting mechanism to control access and prevent overeating and trampling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If animals are given free access to hay in traditional feeders, then they can eat whenever they want, but they gorge themselves and waste hay through trampling and rooting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to hayVSAvoidhay waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a net with openings made of flexible material that allows animals to reach through and access hay while preventing them from rooting or trampling. The net acts as a flexible barrier that maintains access control while reducing waste through contact with the hay

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The hay storage is divided into sections by the net structure with openings, creating controlled access points that segment the hay supply. This segmentation prevents animals from accessing all hay at once and reduces wasteful behaviors while maintaining continuous access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If traditional open feeders are used, then hay is easily accessible, but animals trample on hay and create mess

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehay accessibilityVSAvoidtrampling and rooting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The net with openings serves as a flexible barrier that animals can interact with to access hay while preventing harmful behaviors like trampling and rooting. The flexible nature of the net allows animal contact while maintaining structural integrity to block waste-causing behaviors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If hay is placed in open containers, then animals can eat freely, but feeding rate is uncontrolled leading to gluttony

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding rateVSAvoidfeeding control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The net structure controls the feeding rate by limiting animal access to hay through openings, preventing gluttony while maintaining ease of operation. Animals must reach through the net openings to access hay, which naturally regulates their feeding pace

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The net with openings acts as an intermediary between the animal and the hay, mediating the feeding interaction. This intermediary structure allows controlled access while preventing uncontrolled consumption, balancing productivity and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8677940B1Hay feeder

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 ANDERSON KRISTINE R

AI summary

A hay feeder for preventing waste and gluttony. The hay feeder includes a support member being fastened to a structure; a net having a plurality of openings being disposed therethrough and depending from the support member; and a fastener assembly for fastening the support member to the structure.